Good TT Frame

billybiker

Anyone like to advise me on a choice of TT Frame. I have some good HED wheels and bars, but would like to go to a TT specific frame. I notice the HED frame is about £650, but is alloy/carbon. I think I prefer a full carbon frame but can't spend more than £1000, any good ideas? Also what about sizing? Do I use my road bike size or will I need to be sized specifically.

Thanks.

redddraggon

http://www.dalkiia.com/

Dalkiia F1 Zero

£699

redddraggon

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci ... O+FRAMESET

drenkrom

I rode two seasons on a prototype of this:

http://www.devinci.com/10334_an.html

and it was a very sweet machine. It rode smoothly while having very very little flex. For a low-pro machine, it could also be chucked into corners quite brazenly.

Your road frame size is a good place to start, but you really need to be fitted by someone who is extremely knowledgeable about TT position if you don't already have that dialed-in.

billybiker

Anyone using the HED frame?

cougie

Have you seen the Planet X frame ?

mrushton

Before spending money, read the new issue of ProCycling, specifically the wind-tunnel article. The Slipstream team are using wind tunnels to test their positions, but there are quotes from Steve Hed who says that unless you know what you are doing with the aero stuff then you are wasting money.It would seem the two main things are get an aero helmet and a good position, the rest is playing about. A good read!

drenkrom

There is a substantial geometry difference between a real TT frame and your road frame. The position solicits the quads and the lower back by having you over the bottom bracket a lot more. Within regulations, of course. The aero trickery is tinkering for the sake of tinkering a lot of the time, but the specific frame makes quite a difference, aerodynamics aside. It's simply another bike, another experience. If you can afford it, it's quite an experience to have. There's nothing like powering into a headwind on a TT bike.

As regards the HED frames, I knew a few people riding them when I did triathlons a few years back. They weren't the same as the current model, but the consensus was that they were very fine bikes at an insanely low price for the quality. From what I gather, that's still the case. I wouldn't fuss about the alloy/carbon combination.

billybiker

drenkrom wrote:

I rode two seasons on a prototype of this:

http://www.devinci.com/10334_an.html

and it was a very sweet machine. It rode smoothly while having very very little flex. For a low-pro machine, it could also be chucked into corners quite brazenly.

Your road frame size is a good place to start, but you really need to be fitted by someone who is extremely knowledgeable about TT position if you don't already have that dialed-in.

That looks amazing! I think its outside my price bracket though!

billybiker

drenkrom wrote:

There is a substantial geometry difference between a real TT frame and your road frame. The position solicits the quads and the lower back by having you over the bottom bracket a lot more. Within regulations, of course. The aero trickery is tinkering for the sake of tinkering a lot of the time, but the specific frame makes quite a difference, aerodynamics aside. It's simply another bike, another experience. If you can afford it, it's quite an experience to have. There's nothing like powering into a headwind on a TT bike.

As regards the HED frames, I knew a few people riding them when I did triathlons a few years back. They weren't the same as the current model, but the consensus was that they were very fine bikes at an insanely low price for the quality. From what I gather, that's still the case. I wouldn't fuss about the alloy/carbon combination.

Thats very interesting. Thanks. I've never seen a HED frame so am a bit in the dark on these.

billybiker

mrushton wrote:

Before spending money, read the new issue of ProCycling, specifically the wind-tunnel article. The Slipstream team are using wind tunnels to test their positions, but there are quotes from Steve Hed who says that unless you know what you are doing with the aero stuff then you are wasting money.It would seem the two main things are get an aero helmet and a good position, the rest is playing about. A good read!

I'm sure you're right, I'll be lucky to get below 30 mins for a 10 this year, but to be honest, I fancy a new shiny frame! I love the faces as well at the start when you turn up on all the gear! If its an open event, nobody knnows how slow you are! I'll try and find a copy of Cycling plus, I stopped taking it, as i've had a spell off serious cycling.

andyrr

The P-X frame is available badged-up as other frames such as the Dalkiia, Karbona etc
Look on Weight Weenies for a thread that lists the numerous frames that are the same - same frame as badged as a Ridley that Evans rode in the '07 TdF
If you want to go direct (or at least more direct) then places in Taiwan such as Karbona will sell you a frame for close on £500 delivered.
Look on the timetriallingforum for frames also that come up for sale regularly. A cheap, well regarded TT frame is the Giant TT frame in alloy.
Also available recently were Cervelo P2Cs at a few shops - not sure if they are still available tho'
Yup :
http://www.slanecycles.co.uk/productdet ... 8&catid=72
Also Dooleys in Paisley (web site down at the mo') were selling P2Cs just under a grand.

Also Pedalforce do a TT frame for around $1000 (USD)
http://pedalforce.com/online/product_in ... 16aec83b89

billybiker

Thanks for all the advice. I think it will be eithger a HED or Dalkia, maybe. Going to do some ringing around.

cougie

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/tt/index. ... on=419:419

Full carbon stealth frame - built up for a grand - bargain !

FORUM EXPERT

billybiker wrote:

Anyone like to advise me on a choice of TT Frame. I have some good HED wheels and bars, but would like to go to a TT specific frame. I notice the HED frame is about £650, but is alloy/carbon. I think I prefer a full carbon frame but can't spend more than £1000, any good ideas? Also what about sizing? Do I use my road bike size or will I need to be sized specifically.

Thanks.

speak to your nearest specialist store and seek opinions. You are most likely TOO LATE in the year for the best frames as these sell out very early.

You WILL need to be measured and fitted to your bike as this is critical to performance

Ashley_R

billybiker wrote:

Thanks for all the advice. I think it will be eithger a HED or Dalkia, maybe. Going to do some ringing around.

Did a TT last summer on my new Planet X, the lad in front had another makes frame but identical frame!
Made it feel even sweeter when I caught him!

The Planet X Stealth is a good value package IMO plus if you go up there they'll do a fitting for you for free

off the back

planet X is very good value and bike! If get as Karbona etc can get frame only.

Also saw a new frame I think it is RTS Racing. Basically some X-Giant director has leased out part of the Giant fcatory and making frames. The TT frame is superb finish and while slightly heavier perhaps than planet X the finish and stiffness is better. I have not ridden it but looked very impressive in teh shop - ask a giant dealer for more info.
Price wise it is eur1000 so perhaps 600stg

off the back

just to add Cadel Evans+Lotto team were using a Planet X/ Karbona etc last year rebadged as a Ridley.

method

andyrr wrote:

The P-X frame is available badged-up as other frames such as the Dalkiia, Karbona etc
Look on Weight Weenies for a thread that lists the numerous frames that are the same - same frame as badged as a Ridley that Evans rode in the '07 TdF
If you want to go direct (or at least more direct) then places in Taiwan such as Karbona will sell you a frame for close on £500 delivered.
Look on the timetriallingforum for frames also that come up for sale regularly. A cheap, well regarded TT frame is the Giant TT frame in alloy.
Also available recently were Cervelo P2Cs at a few shops - not sure if they are still available tho'
Yup :
http://www.slanecycles.co.uk/productdet ... 8&catid=72
Also Dooleys in Paisley (web site down at the mo') were selling P2Cs just under a grand.

Also Pedalforce do a TT frame for around $1000 (USD)
http://pedalforce.com/online/product_in ... 16aec83b89

The Dalkiia is a different frame to the planet x.

billybiker

OK, thanks guys, have made a decision, Dalkiaa frame, Med, with DA BB and my existing wheels (HED), and 9 speed Ultegra cassette and derailler.

billybiker

OK,

many thanks for all the inputs. Have just finished putting all the bits together and am very pleased with how this bike really seems to perform. I've got some minor tweaking to do but will just gradually get into a good position thats comfortable for me.

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/ ... 080108.jpg

Just need to get myself a bit fitter for the start of the season.

Cheers,

and thanks again for the help.[url][/url]

redddraggon

That is one nice bike.

billybiker

Thanks. Took a surprisingly long time to get it all together but I'm pleased with the results.

billybiker

Oh, now that I've got the bike what should I do to prepare for the coming season? I've been off cycling for 3 years due to illness, but have done lots of "base" type training over the winter. What next??

Bronzie

That bike is bitchin'. 8)

Have a look at the 2x20 thread in Training as a starting point.

billybiker

Bronzie wrote:

That bike is bitchin'. 8)

Have a look at the 2x20 thread in Training as a starting point.

Thanks.

Yes, had a look at that 2X20 thing-makes sense. I'm just going to cheat, do a few TTs and look at the HR I'm sustaining. If I'm flat out but complete the course I must have been fairly close to my aerobic limit.

jamesblodgett

The only problem with that bike is that you have no excuses.

Very cool!

billybiker

:shock:

Oh Noooo! I can always give a false name and address. :roll:

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

Nice bike! Can you ride with the bars any lower? Or maybe post a pic with you on the bike so we can see your position?

Cheers, Andy

billybiker

andrewgturnbull wrote:

Hi there.

Nice bike! Can you ride with the bars any lower? Or maybe post a pic with you on the bike so we can see your position?

Cheers, Andy

Thanks. Don't think I can put the bars any lower but I think the saddle needs to come forward and up a little. Will try to get some pics next time I'm out but looking at todays forecast that could be some time.

Jeff Jones

billybiker wrote:

Thanks. Don't think I can put the bars any lower but I think the saddle needs to come forward and up a little. Will try to get some pics next time I'm out but looking at todays forecast that could be some time.

You could flip the stem, which would make quite a difference. You're aiming for a flat back and a saddle position that doesn't cramp you too much.